MOPS

Today was the first meeting for MOPS!

Im so excited for MOPS this year. I joined last year at the end of the year pretty much to try it. And this year I decided to bring Samantha with me for the first time in a "classroom" setting.

I've never had her in daycare or a classroom type setting EVER. We just never had it as a part of our routine. My hubby and I came really close to putting SJ in daycare about a year ago when I went back to full time work, and we decided against it last minute. We have an amazing Nanny, and my Aunt who helps us 2 days a week, and it works for now.

But come next fall I'd like to send Samantha to Pre-School (3 year old program) 2 days a week. I feel like bringing her to MOPS would be a good thing to introduce her to "playgroup" without having Mommy right there.. Of course im in the SAME building as her, and they'd page me or come and get me if there was a real emergency. But I was still freaking out.

She walked right away from me, and started playing.. which I thought was GREAT! But the teacher said she did have a couple sad moments, and then she was fine for the most part. At the end she started crying when someone said "ok all the mommies are coming!" But by the time we walked outside to the car she was gabbing away about how much fun she had, and drinking her juice and acting just fine.

Ugh, I know its the BEST thing for her.. and I feel like it will truly help next year with Pre-School transition. So she did good.. Hey, she wasnt crying at the door and hanging on the gates, right? Must sound so silly to those of you reading who's children are well adjusted to this type of setting.. but its all very new to me! Any advice would be great.. but I think she'll adapt slowly.

On the way home I asked her what she wanted for Lunch and she said "ahhh Turkey".. so I said .. where do you wanna go for lunch? Her response was "Panera!" So I was feeling badly that she cried and had a little bit of a rough time, so I spoiled her and took her out for lunch.

Here she is telling me all about her playgroup and that her favorite toy they had there were the "trucks"
She was a perfect angel at lunch eating her turkey, carrots and bread.. so of course I rewarded her with a big pumpkin frosted cookie.

We headed home and she is now taking a lovely nap while I catch up with work, laundry and some phone calls I cannot make when she's awake!

MOPS & 22 Months - A little Late

I know this post is late.. and pretty much picture-less.. But its one of those posts that if I dont just press the "publish post" button, I may never get it out there..

{MOPS}

This morning Momma had MOPS!

I was so excited since I had missed the last meeting b/c we were in NC.

This week's topic was "Tea and Testimony"... It was the last meeting until September, but we have playdates during the summer, and I plan on keeping in touch with the Moms I've met & get together for playdates soon.

Im so glad I joined MOPS.. It helps rejuvinate me as a Mom, and through my journey with Jesus. It refreshes me, and reminds me to take time out every day for some prayer.

Lately I've been worrying and we're making decisions, and thinking ahead, and it just bogs my mind down, and today's message at MOPS helped me to understand that God is in control, and although we may try to plan out our lives he is in control. And many of my side conversations with my Moms were as always so great..

Ok enough rambling.... I just love my MOPS group!

{22 Months}

I cannot beleive in 2 months she'll be two. Well, I take that back. I can. Beacuse some days she acts like she's 5, and has me scratching my head, asking "where did my baby go?"

Lately SJ has been putting a ton of words together and forming little sentences, she's always asking to go outside, loves her blankey, loves her veggies (peas/corn and broccoli are favorites).

She's been sleeping pretty good.. and slept EXCELLENT on our vacation.

She loves playing "tea" and singing and dancing and loves music.

I've been working on changing her room a bit... When she was a newborn, we lived in our condo, and her decor was Birds!

Then we moved in with my mom, then we moved into our house.. and the decor kind of had me stumped until now. Her walls are PBK Green shade, and she has the Pink Panels from PBK on her windows.

I decided since I already have so many "bird" things.. I would update and continue with my original thought BIRDS... I love the nests, eggs, bird cage look.. and I already have so many leftover decorations when she was first born

Irish Day 2011, Jill Kelly & Recipe

I attended MOPS this morning,

and got the priveledge of meeting and listening to Jill Kelly

speak about Prayer and Devotion...

One word.. AMAZING.

I feel totally inspired and refreshed, and throw a little Jesus, and relationships in there too. I could have listened to her all day.

She spoke to my heart with examples of being a Mother and Wife, and a Christian that I could totally relate to.. It has almost energized me into wanting a better relationship with Jesus. Im so glad I went!

She has a couple books out, that I think I may have to get and read!

If you arent familiar with her.. http://www.jillk.org/. Her story is amazing, and getting to meet her and hear her recite that story with passion and tears was something I wont ever forget.

Today is also St.Patrick's Day

and I had my Corned Beef and Cabbage

simmering away in my slow cooker all day.. mmm

The recipe is SOOOO darn easy..

I make it always on St. Pat's Day -- seeing as I am 50% Irish and all

.. but I've been known to just make CB&C just because why wait a whole year, its delish! ha!

Recipe:

(courtesy of my cousin Jeanne I might add)

Corned Beef Brisket - packet of seasoning inside

4-5 Potatoes (Red or Yukon Gold)

3-4 small onions - quartered

5-6 large carrots - cut into 3 inch pieces.

1 head cabbage

Add corned beef (thawed) & sprinkle seasoning over top.

Then add onions/potatoes/carrots

Cover with about 2-3 cups water

Cook on Low 8-10hrs

Add Cabbage in wedges and add to slow cooker at the last hour of cooking,

and turn up slow cooker to HIGH setting. (1hr)

Test to make sure tender.

I serve my meal with Rye Bread & Mustard for Corned Beef Sandwiches (hubby likes)

or on the side with yummy butter! (I like)

We're having my aunt over for dinner tonight, and she brought dessert...

{Irish Cream Cheesecake... mmm}

And she brought 2 huge shamrock iced cookies for Samantha.

Maybe that why she was screaming in her crib tonight before bed.. she never puts up a fight (hardly), but tonight she was a stinker and really got upset..

I tried to soothe her.. but as usual, just made it worse...

Eventually she did fall asleep... poor thing.

Hope everyone had a great Day!

I had a request for The San Diego Fish Taco recipe.. I am getting that going.. let me know if you want any other recipes as mentioned in this posting

{outside on a beautiful St.Patrick's Day today}